With everything in the news lately about the devastating fires in Hawaii on the island of Maui, I wanted to pick a Hawaiian themed book to review for this month and by chance, stumbled across this wonderful picture book which was a Stonewall Honor Book in 2022.
Long ago, before Kakuhihewa ruled Oahu, four Tahitians journeyed across the ocean from their home in Moaulanuiakea to Hawaii.
So begins Kapaemahu written by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson, illustrated by Daniel Sousa, and published by Kokila (an imprint of Penguin Random House). The book is based on an animated short film also titled Kapaemahu created by the same team. The film was shortlisted for an Oscar at the 2021 Academy Awards, and has won critical acclaim and many awards worldwide.
The story continues sharing rich details about these four visitors who came to live in Waikiki. They were mahu. Mahu are dual-spirit people who encompass male and female. The leader of these mahu was named Kapaemahu. All four mahu possessed great healing powers and helped the Hawaiian people. To show their gratitude, the people erected a monument in the mahus’ honor.
Four large boulders were placed on the beach and during a ceremony, the mahu transferred their healing powers to the stones and then vanished. The stones continued as a sacred place for the people of Oahu for a long time. During the period when white settlers came to colonize the Hawaiian islands, the stones were forgotten and buried under new construction. Fortunately, the stones have been recovered and given a place of honor once again on Waikiki Beach.
This beautiful cultural story of Hawaii is shared by Wong-Kalu in both English and in Olelo Niihau (the only form of Hawaiian that has been continuously spoken since before the arrival of foreigners). Hawaiian, when spoken aloud, is a lilting and beautiful language. Sousa’s illustrations, rich with colors, are done in a style that evokes Polynesian sculpture and art.
Backmatter includes the history of the healer stones, information about Olelo Niiahu, author’s notes, and a glossary. Many of the islands of the South Pacific culturally embrace dual-spirit people. No one thinks twice about the concept of nonbinary. Unfortunately, Hawaii has gone through a period of gender minority discrimination, even suppressing the connection of the mahu with these ancient healing stones. Stories like this one can help show the link of gender diversity to our history and make the future more inclusive.
“Filled with cultural details and beautifully illustrated in vibrant tropical colors, the book pays homage to Indigenous Hawaiian healing traditions and affirms two-spirit people.” (Kirkus reviews)
Wishing all the peoples of Hawaii healing as they recover from the Maui fires.
Marti Johns 